It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Ebell member Natalie Spector on September 18, 2023, in Los Angeles. Natalie was a passionate and active Ebell member. She is survived by her daughters Lorraine (Ebell member and former Board member) and Sherrie, sons-in-law Hugh and George, and grandchildren Melanie (Ryan) and Jonathan.
We sadly report the passing of Ebell member Shelley Smith on August 8, 2023. Shelley enjoyed three careers, starting as a Supermodel gracing the covers of many a fashion magazine, then as an actor in Hollywood. She was most proud of her third endeavor as the founder of the world’s first egg donor bank/fertility clinic in which she helped countless families. An Ebell Member Spotlight with her story in archived on our website. A memorial will be held November 12, 2023, at 1:00pm in the El Portal theater. RSVP requested at celebratingshelleysmith@gmail.com
Congratulations to Ebell members Diana Nyad and Bonnie Stall on their new movie Nyad. Starring Annette Benning as Nyad and Jodie Foster as Stall, the movie tells the remarkable true story of athlete Diana Nyad, who, with the help of her best friend and coach, commits to a 110-mile open ocean swim from Cuba to Florida. Nyad plays in select theaters Oct. 20 and then hits Netflix on Nov. 3.
Congratulations to Ebell member Wilma Pinder who is being honored by the Women Lawyer’s Association of Los Angeles (WLALA) at the 104th Annual Installation & Awards Dinner on September 29 at the Omni Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. Wilma will receive the Distinguished Service Award for supporting and serving women in Los Angeles.
Founder Paulinda Schimmel and volunteers from the Ovarian Cancer Circle were recognized at a ceremony at LA City Hall as part of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness that early detection can save lives.
Christy McAvoy participated in the Sidney D. Gamble Lecture Series, on “The Foundation and Future of Women in Architecture”. It was conceived by Trudi Sandmeier, Director of the Heritage Conservation Program in the USC School of Architecture. Other participants were Dr. Laura Dominguez, Kelly Sutherlin McLeod, and Ros Sagara. Julia Long, the Ebell’s new archivist, was in the audience.
Sheryl Lee Ralph graces the cover of this month’s AARP magazine along with a terrific interview. Sheryl Lee Ralph’s Long Journey to Her Current Success (aarp.org)
